Document 5kGnpEVRo8jkOaMnx7KraG4eN

APR,29'20C1 10:41 2148210977 KAESKE REEVES a./ " . KA3SiE* GYPSUM COMPANY, L , To copj to R.L. Allgood C.Z. Caorye J.D. Cassidy J.D. Chambers N.D. Dicks D.K. Homan J.F. Mocaff P.D. Crleman !N7uK-OFF3CE MEMORANDUM V/.L. Traub J.H. Walton R.J. Wicorn 5,R. Witt Date From AT cc: P.J. Franklin G.B. Kirk J.C. Reilly F w. Scnaner Subject #6104 P.001/005 11529 P^F bocw March 1, 1965 L.R. Flicker KC 2482 . Health Hazards The attached material has been received from the Gypsum Association and is presented for your in formation. In connection with protection against asbestos dust, it is advised to use a respirator with a filter especially designed for asbestos dust. LRF:sb KG-85 APR.29'2001 10:42 2148210977 KAESKE REEVES #6104 P.002/005 c 0 * Y A5SEST0S 15 POINTED OUT AS CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER by Alton Blakeslee AP Science Writer c 0 p Y NEW YORK (A?) -- Medical specialists pointed a strong finger of suspicion today at asbestos as a cause not only of lung cancer but also of another extremely rare form of fatal human cancer- This cancer, known as mesothelioma. Involves the lining of the abdominal and cheat cavities, - Much of the specialists' evidence comes from autopay studies of men working with asbestos as azi insulation material. They said it also is possible that dust from products contain" ing asbestos night be exposing people generally to some risk of cancers. How much risk there might be, they said, they could not tell. Release Dust Asbestos is used not only for insulation but as a flooring material, in automobile brake shoes, and in many other applications. Ordinary wear and tear, they said, might release dust into the atmosphere. The report was presented to the American Public Health Association by Drs. Irving J. Sellkoff and Jacob Churg of the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, and E. Cuyler Hammond, Sc.D., director of statistical research for the American Cancer Society. Dr, Hammond is known for his studies of cigarette smoking in relationship to lung cancer. ' Asbestos is a mineral, magnesium silicate, and about 3 1/2 million tons of it ere used worldwide each year, they said. In 1935, worldwide usage amounted to about 500 tons, the researchers said. Tiny, hard particles of asbestos can lodge in the lungs during mining, processing and application of asbestos"containing materials, or possibly from dust raised through normal wear, they said, "We had previously found that lung cancer and possibly gastro intestinal cancer were markedly increased in incidence among asbestos insulation workers," they said. : 42 214 8210977 KAESKE REEVE #6104 P.003/005 2- - Increase Noted Now they also find a markedly high increase among such workers of mesothelioma, a cancer so rare it is not classed separately as a cause of death in the international classification of diseases. As a prime example, they reported finding 10 deaths due to this fern of cancer in a study of 307 deaths among New York and New Jersey building trades union members engaged in using asbestos at least occasionally as an insulation material. By contrast, this form of cancer was found to be the cause of death among only three out of more than 30,000 autopsies in a study of the general population sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Other Studies Other studies showed a high incidence not only of lung cancer but mesotheliomas among persons who had asbestos particles In their lungs at the time of their deaths, they said. "It would appear that mesothelioma must be added to the neoplastic (cancer) risks of asbestos inhalation and joins lung cancer (33 but of 307 deaths) and probably cancer of the stomach and colon (34 of 307 deaths) as a significant complication of such industrial exposure in the United States," their report said. The cancers nay not appear until 20 to 30 years after asbestos dust is Inhaled or swallowed, they said. Since the particles do not dissolve, they may remain in body tissue as a continuous source that might incite ultimate cancer. Dr. Hammond said one worry is whether a few or even a single past exposure might sec the stage for cancer. He said this is a matter calling for sore research. Taking precautions to avoid breathing in asbestos dust is a main protection for industrial workers, he and Dr- Selikoff said. PLTF 0504 y*,pf*N, MU \ MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ofThrCliy' University ojNtw York FIFTH HVlUut AND r AiflTH STIfCT'NST YOtJi, N Y, 7^ l4 r. July 31, 1973 Mrs. Mari Shnsenq Librari an-iri-cbarge Research Center Library United States Gypsum Company1000 East Northwest Highway Dos Plaines, Illinois 0016 Dear Mrs* Ehrmann: There is a vast literature reporting results of investigations into the comparative toxicity of chrysotile asbestos. In relation to other fibers- In summary,, no significant difference was'found; all varieties show important fibrogenic and carcinogenic activity. At your request, we will provide some of the most pertinent references* Insofar as human effects are concerned. It is conceivable that the animal models do not reflect a difference which might exist among the fiber varieties; this possible difference is the subject of Investiga tion In a number of ways. Dr* McDonald considers that his studies In the chrysotile mines in Quebec have shown less lung cancer and mesothelioma than other asbestos^exposed groups* Very worrisome is his observation that more heavily exposed chrysotile miners had five times as much lung cancer as those mcra Lightly exposed(l). This would provide clear evidence of the carcinogenic effect of chrysotile asbestos, since the individuals concerned bad been exposed only to this fiber variety. Too, review of x-rnys among these men has shown numerous cases of asbestosls, demonstrating the fibrogenic effect* In addition to sine and mill employees, studies have also been under taken of factory populations thought ta be exposed only to chrysotile* ' This Is more complicated, since It is difficult to be absolutely sure that the populations concerned never htid any exposure, however small, to other fiber varieties. One such stiidy was reported by Dr. Thomas . Mancuso In 1963, and an important cancer risk of the population In vestigated was found(2). Another study has been reported at scientific meetings by Dr. Joseph K. Wagoner of the National Institute for Occupa tional Safety and Health. While this has not yet appeared in the scien tific press, I am sure that you will ^e able to obtain a copy of the manuscript from Dr. Wagoner, goo/^oo'a ms# S3A33H 3.MS3Y>I aeoizsiiiz zv-oi loosm'Yav APR.29'2001 10:43 2148210977 KAESKE REEVES #6104 P.005/005 Mrs. Marie Oirnorui -2- , 7/31/73 Dr. Joseph wagoner, Acting Director Division of Field Studies & Clinical Investigation ' National Institute for Occupational Safety end Healt 550 Mein Street Federal Building, Room 7033 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 PLAINTIFF EXHIBIT 1626 fZ) In obtaining information on the question) advantage may he taken of another set of circumstance*. Amosite and crocidollte, the other two major fiber* used in camerce, are not mined In North America, end oust be Imported. Records of these imports have been kept by the Department of Commerce, We find that only trivial quantities at these fibers were imported until the 1940's and of these small amounts, croeidollte was not used In any Insulation materials, although anoiita was. Therefore, experience of asbestos insulation workers during the 1940'a and 1950's (especially, the fm*r) cannot be ascribed to other than the one asbestos fiber that wa in regular use In insulation materials during the 1930'* -- ebrysotil*. Since lung cancer rates, as well as the occurrence of mesothelioma and deaths of asbestosls, were demonstrably increased among these meh during the 1940*s and 1950's, we may infer the cbrysotiie-associated risk among the(3-5). Since the problem Is an Important one, I expect that more information will become available within the next several years. - , Sincerely yours, IJS;jlr lEl Prof 1. McDonald, J.C., McDonald, A.D., Gibbs, G.W., Siemiatycki, J. and Hosslter, C.E. Mortality in the chrysotile asbestos mines and mills of Quebec* Arch. Qiv^ron. Health. 22(6);677-6S6, June 1971. ** 2. tfancuso, T.F. and OwLter, E.J, Methodology In industrial health studies* The cohort approach, w:ith special reference to an asbestos company. Arch. Environ, Health 3(2):210-226 (Feb.) 1963. 3. Selikoff, I*J,, Churg, J. and Hammond, E.C. Asbestos Exposure and Neoplasia. J.A.M.A. 168:22-26, 1964. 4. Selikoff, I.J., Churg, J. and Hammond, E.C. The occurrence of asbestosis among insulation workers in the United States, Anns, N.Y. ACDd. Scs. 131,(1); 139-155, Dec. 31, 1965. 5. Selikoff, I.J., Mr.rurtontd, E.C. and Churg, J. Asbestos exposure, smoking and neoplnsio, J.A.M.A 204(2):106--112, April 1968